WINTER 2019
City of Albuquerque
Human Resources
Article Topics:
Express Scripts
Unique Services Reimbursement
Delta Dental
New Year’s Resolutions
Upcoming BetterHealth Programs
Davis Vision
Upcoming Events
CABQ Insurance & Benefits ·BRINGING BENEFITS TO YOU·
NEW LOCAL OPTIONS FOR 90 DAY SUPPLY OF
MAINTENANCE MEDICATIONS
The City of Albuquerque is excited to announce the addition of 10
local pharmacies to the Smart90 Custom Network effective
December 1, 2019. Under the Smart90 program, you can get up to
a three-month supply and you could save money. Use home
delivery from the Express Scripts Pharmacy OR a retail pharmacy
in the Smart90 network to get those medications you take on an
ongoing basis. Two ways to get savings:
The Express Scripts Pharmacy-home delivery with free stand-ard shipping OR
A retail pharmacy in the Smart90 Custom Network (including those listed below).
Duran Central Pharmacy 1815 Central NW Highland Pharmacy 717 Encino Pl NE Best Buy Drugs 1445 Wyoming Blvd NE Menaul Compounding 11417 Menual NE ABQ Best Care 2901 Transport NE Medicine Chest 1123 Candelar ia NW Victors Regent 1643 Isleta Blvd SW Sam’s Regent 7120 Wyoming NE Phil’s Pharmacy 5510 Lomas NE John’s Pharmacy 9134 Central SE
As a reminder, all maintenance medications are required to be
filled as a 90-day prescription. To avoid paying more than you
need to for your medicine, you’ll need to get your prescription in 3
month supplies from Express Scripts Home Delivery or the Smart
90 Custom Network.
Snowy Albuquerque.
Unique Services Reimbursement Program
If you are enrolled in the Active or Independent Plan you have
the ability to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for you and your
dependents enrolled on your plan.
On the Active Plan, you can receive up to a $150 reimbursement
per family per calendar year under the Unique Services Reim-
bursement Program for the following:
Routine vision care, exams, glasses and contact lenses
Birth control pills
Ambulance copays
LASIK surgery
Copays for x-rays, MRIs, and other scans
Smoking cessation services
Sterilization services
Weight loss programs*
Gym membership fees*
Vitamins*
Dental treatments (cosmetic services are not reimbursable)*
On the Independent Plan, you can receive up to a $250 reim-
bursement per family per calendar year under the Unique Ser-
vices Reimbursement Program for the above-listed, in addition
to the following:
Prescription drug costs
Diagnostic devices*
Alternative therapies
Hearing aids
Routine vision care, exams, glasses and contact lenses
Disease management classes*
Dental treatments* (cosmetic services are not reimbursable)
*You must submit a note or prescription from your provider
with your Unique Services Reimbursement Form.
For more information regarding Unique Reimbursement Services, please visit:
http://www.cabq.gov/humanresources/documents/USRPReimbursementForm.pdf
or
https://www.phs.org/health-plans/employer-plans/Pages/city-of-albuquerque.aspx?vu=CABQ
Xylitol Explained
Everyone has bacteria in their mouth. The sugars and starches in the foods you eat feed the bacteria, allowing them to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The breakdown of the enamel can lead to tooth decay and cavi-ties.
The good news is that researchers have found that xylitol can make it harder for bacteria to adhere to the teeth. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener that is used in place of sugar. It is just as sweet as sugar but contains 33 percent fewer calories. It can be used in preparation of diabetic meals, by those sensitive to sugar and by people interested in reducing their added sugar in-take. The sweeteners in xylitol interfere with the growth of bacteria and reduce the acids—therefore, protecting your teeth.
Researchers conducted a study with three groups of people to find out how xylitol works:
The first group chewed a standard sor-bitol-sweetened gum.
The second group chewed no gum.
And the third group chewed a xylitol sweetened gum.
After three months, the group who had chewed the xylitol-sweetened gum had the least amount of bacteria in their mouths.
Most stores now offer gums with xylitol, but they’re most often combined with other sweeteners. These gums still provide bene-fits, but experts say it’s best to chew gum with xylitol as the only sweetener.
www.deltadentalnm.com
Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
(505)855-7111
(877)395-9420
customerservice @deltadentalnm.com
1) Eat Healthier Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day Say no to sugary drinks like soda and juice Increase your fiber intake (fruits, vegetables,
beans, whole wheat flour) 2) Exercise More
Walk or run 10,000 steps a day Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical
activity every day (walking, jogging, biking, etc.) This can be broken down into incre-ments (example: 3, 10 minute walks)
Add strength training to your routine at least 1 time a week for 30 minutes
Add a stretching routine 3 times a week
3) Stress Less Make sleep a priority and try and add 1 hour a
night to your sleep schedule Make a goal to read 1 book a month Spend more time with friends and family Get organized-whether it’s your desk, your
kitchen or your schedule
4) Save Money Track your spending and build a budget on a
free financial tracking app (Mint, Daily Budg-et, etc.)
Pack your lunch 4 days a week (also helps with eating healthier)
Try and pick a different plan to lower your bills (cable, cell phone, energy, etc.)
Upcoming BetterHealth Programs:
1) Good Measures Healthy Weight
Program *Space is Limited*
Included: Access to a registered die-
tician coach, smart app, online group
classes, Bluetooth scale and mini
challenges with prizes
Sign-up here *City of Albuquerque
employees only*
2) 28-Day Heart Health Step Challenge
Connect your FitBit or other smart
device and compete as teams of 4
and/or as an individual
Goal is 10,000 steps per day! Must
complete 50% of goal to receive
prize
Sign-up here
3) New Decade, New You Tobacco
Cessation Program
Enroll through Quit For Life
Prizes for registering for the pro-
gram and completing 5 calls with a
Coach
*Registration for all programs open
through January 30, 2020
Examples of Resolutions:
Upcoming Events
2019 Pre-Retirement Seminar—December 19, 2019 South Broadway Cultural Center, 8:30AM-12:00PM
Christmas Day—Wednesday, December 25
New Years Day—Wednesday, January 1
2020 Pre– Retirement Seminar—February 11, 2020 Manzano Mesa Multicultural Center, 8:30AM-12:00PM
Good Measures Healthy Weight Program-February 1
28 Day Heart Health Step Challenge-February 1
New Decade, New You Tobacco Cessation Program-February 1
Five Ways to Reduce Eyestrain at Your Desk
Statista Research Department forecasts that, by 2020, there will be 6.58 devices per person around the world.
Here in the U.S., industry insiders show that Americans currently have 8 networked devices per person, a num-
ber that is expected to grow to 13.6 by 2022.1 Whether you are talking about a cell phone, tablet, reader, com-
puter, smart TV, or efficiency they provide is inarguable, these perks often come with a price – eyestrain.
The Vision Council reports that 80 percent of Americans report using at least one device for more than two
hours a day, with 67 percent acknowledging that they often use more than two devices at a time.2 And, not
surprisingly, 59 percent suffer from digital eyestrain.
Eyestrain is marked by dry, tired eyes and blurry vision. One of the main reasons for this is, oddly enough, a
lack of blinking. Normally, the average person blinks 15 times or more per minute, which keeps your eyes lu-
bricated and reduces irritants. However, research shows that when you look at a screen, you blink half as often,
resulting in less lubrication and more irritation. Add to this the glare of the screen, the blue light emission, the
poor contrast between text and background image or color, and/or flickering and it’s no wonder that your eyes
pay the price. Fortunately, there are several things you can do reduce device-related eyestrain, particularly at
the office.
1) The 20/20 rule: This solution is quite simple. Every 20 minutes, focus on something at least 20 feet away
for at least 20-30 seconds. This will give your eyes a chance to relax and reduce fatigue.
2) Adjust screen settings: You can also make a few changes to your actual screen to reduce strain. Make
sure the brightness is neither too bright nor too gray. It should be subtle, not a light source. Additionally,
adjust the color temperature of the screen. Blue light can induce strain, so lower the amount of blue, aim-
ing for more in the orange or yellow realm.
3) Computerize your glasses: If you wear eyeglasses, talk to your eye care professional about modifying for
device use. If you wear progressives, consider switching to single vision lenses for close reading. You can
also ask for a blue light coating to ease strain from the blue light emission. And if you normally wear con-
tacts, consider glasses instead, as your contacts can become dry and irritated with extended device use.
4) Customize your work area: The positioning of both your chair and computer screen can impact the com-
fort of your head and neck as well as your eye. Be sure your chair height is such that feet rest comfortably
on the floor. Adjust your computer screen to be 20-24 inches away from your eyes and the center of the
screen 10-15 degrees below your eyes for ideal comfort.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your devices AND protect you vision.
CONTACT US
Human Resources Department
Insurance & Benefits Division
400 Marquette NW
Albuquerque, NM 87103
City Hall 7th Floor Room 702
(505) 768-3758
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